So, you are going to pray really hard about something and then leave it up to someone whom you have never seen or talked to that lives somewhere up in the part of the sky that is called ‘heaven’? Does this strike you as strange that you have never heard the voice of god out loud (let alone seen it/him/her) and that voice inside your head sounds suspiciously like your own inner voice? God seems to know how to make you feel better by forgiving you and agreeing with all the things you think and hate. Get ready to have your mind blown because… wait for it… ‘God’ is You. That’s right, folks – this shit going on inside your head is your inner voice, your imaginary friend, your savior is yourself. You are capable of fixing your own problem, forgiving yourself and being a good person because you want to be, not because some god is looking out for you. There is no god, now be strong and kick ass. – Kat

“Our prayers are with the victims of this tragedy.” As an atheist, this makes me choke on my own afterbirth. Sympathy and compassion is one thing, but proclaiming that you’re going to talk to god for the victims is outright disrespectful. Of course the rest of the population will not see it this way. Behold, I’m only a concerned citizen.
America leads the world in school shooting…why is this? The land of opportunity, where everyone has an equal opportunity at education and even a future… if they can survive. Question, which is worse 1) surviving a zombie apocalypse or 2) Surviving public school. A student would almost be tempted to drop out just for the sheer precaution of safety.
The reality is this, these tragedies are unavoidable. The consistent “bullying” that leads the youth to these destructive decisions is unavoidable. Bullying is a part of life and the human condition…it shouldn’t be, but it is. If something is different or “wrong” you’re taught to discriminate. From clothes to race…sexuality to beliefs. (thanks religion!)
The general public will question why god allowed such things to happen, then turn around a pray to god for the families…there is logic for you. This is the same god allows 6 million to die (“chosen people btw) in Holocaust. So with that math in place, what conclusion would allow you to think god cares about a public school with children?
Not only that, but these “prayers” suggest that the families are incapable of talking to god too. Can you imagine how annoyed god must be with all of his followers talking to him about the same thing…at the same time? “I knooooo, I’m omnipotent you dumb fucks.”
If talking to yourself gives your relief and a sense of a medium, by all means. But don’t suggest that to a grieving family. These actions were not cause by “Satan” or some sense of possession. People are capable of the actions and worse. Now is not the time for “moments of silence” and “national prayers.” Sure, express sympathy and respect for the family and lost ones. But at the end of the day get off your knees and do something about that shit! (this goes for conflict in general, not only national tragedies)